Squads Announced

Attentions turn to the international scene this week, with a series of FIFA World Cup Play-Offs and friendlies taking place.

And with Craven Cottage playing host to Italy v Nigeria on Monday 18th November (7.45pm), both national sides have announced the squads which will be travelling to SW6 for the match.

A flurry of familiar names are included for four-time World Cup winners Italy, with the likes of team captain and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, AS Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi, and playmaker Claudio Marchisio all selected. Not short of quality in depth, the Azzurri will also travel to Craven Cottage – following their international friendly with Germany this Friday – armed with their talisman Andrea Pirlo, who was recently shortlisted for the FIFA Ballon d’Or, and former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli.

Nigeria have also selected a strong pool of players for their international games, as they look to confirm their qualification for next year’s World Cup with victory over Ethiopia ahead of their trip to South-West London.

Familiar faces to the Premier League John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses and Shola Ameobi each take a place in the squad for the current Africa Cup of Nations Champions, while goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who is enjoying a fruitful period in France with Lille, will leapfrog Nwankwo Kanu into second place in the appearance standings for Nigeria, should he play against both Ethiopia and Italy. The match against Italy will be Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi's first friendly against European opposition since he took charge of the side in November 2011.